Armenia is recognized as one of the important biodiversity "hotspot" in the world. Towards 2014 International Day for Biodiversity, "Uniting Youth for Biodiversity" 8 days long youth exchange will be organized and hosted by Young Biologists Association NGO (Armenia) in cooperation with partners from Spain, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Georgia, Turkey and Ukraine. The exchange programme will take place from 10 to17 of May, 2014 in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia. About 40 participants will come together to discuss issues of biodiversity conservation, to exchange experience and to raise motivation of youth and youth organizations with various backgrounds to be involved in environmental actions at local and international levels. The project activities include presentations about Caucasian and global biodiversity, importance of biodiversity for poverty alleviation, nature conservation issues, participation of youth in decision making processes and dialogue.

The field trips to Nature Specially Protected Areas ("Sevan" and "Dilijan" National Parks) and Botanical Garden as the typical conservation areas, workshop on sustainable use of biodiversity as a food source and photo contest on the topic "Biodiversity through my eyes" will also be organized.

The YBA will also celebrate World Migratory Bird Day in Armenia. The WMBD event will also be part of exchange programme. The educational seminar and birdwatching will be organized.

The youth exchange will be organized with support of the Youth in Action programme of the European Union.

For more information: http://www.cbd.int/idb/2014/celebrations/am/ and http://www.worldmigratorybirdday.org/2014/

The core activities of Young Biologists Association NGO are supported byThe Rufford Foundation.